Safety gate for railway crossings



July 2l, 1925. 1,546,383

E. J.jHuN-r SAFETY GATE FOR RAILWAY GROSSINGS Filed March 1o, 1924 4 sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

1,546,383 E. J. HUNT SAFETY GATE FOR RAILWAY CROSSINGS Filed March 10, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'EmzfafwJllzmgIlM/ENTOR.-

July 21, 1925.

ATTORNEY.

July 2l, 1925.

E. J. HUNT SAFETY GA TE FOR' RAILWAY cRossINes ATTORNEY.

Patented July 21, 1925.

-uNrrn-D EDWARD Jaa/ins HUNT, 'or GREENVILLE, onto.

SAFETY GATE FOR PLILVAY CROSSINGS.

Application filed March 10, 1924. ISerial No. 658,216.

'electric trolley4 lin'e crossings as Well, 'and ther invention vhas, torA its ,object to provide, in a manner as hereinatte'r'set forth, means actuated` 'hy a trainv as. itv approaches' the crossing `tor positioning a pair 'ot'g'ate members transversely vvith respectkthereto at cach side of the trackivay to 4clos'ethe 'highway to trailic and' to prevent tralii'c crossing the railway track in advance o't Van on-c'om- 'ing tra'in'reaching the crossing, thereby materially reducing accidents toa minimum, and with said ineans"'fn1:tlier actuated as the train passes,the'cross'ing-tor the'purp'ose ot" returningtlie gate members' to vnormal -position t'o open the highivay'to traliic.

L further `object of the invention is to provide,v in a manner as "heriinatter set YForth.. a sa'tety gate and its operating mechanism appiic'able to a single 'or a double track railway vand' so 'constructed4 and arranged whereby a highway' will Alo'e closed? to traino hy an' ori-coming train' before it,reach'esthev crossing, and xvill' be opened tdtratli'c vwhen the train has left the crossing. y

Further ohiects'ot'fthe invention are to provide, in manner as. :hereinafter set forth. a safety gate, vWhich'is comparativeiy simple in its construction and arrangement,

strong, durable, operated' to safety position hy an oli-coming train towards 'thefcrossing,

and restored to normal position as the'tra-in leaves the crossing,'thoroughly etticient .in

its use, readilyinstailed, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

Y. YWith the Jr'oreffomg and other objects in view, the invention `consists'ot theV novel ruction, combination and arrangements hed and illustrated' in the .accompanyino; uraivings, wherein-is shoiv'n an embodiment ot the invention, lo'ut it is to Aloe underod 'that cn n es, variations and mediiicaos can be martedi to vWhich come Within 4throughout the several Yviews t- .heeinatter more specifically" lthe scopeot the claims hereuntoappended.

In the 'drawings' wherein 'like reference characters denotel 'corresponding 'parts '.,Figure 1 is a top' planvieW of a double t ack railway and a highway, and further illustrating` the adaptation' ot a'safety gate, in accordance 'Withtthis inventiori,'Withv respect to vthe tracks of the railu'iay-and'zthe.

crossingl at the highway.

"Figure 2 vis a view Isimilar to Figure 1, showing the adaptation ot' a satetygate in accordance with this inventon,"fw'ith 'respect` to 'a single track railway and highway.v

" f Figure 3 is a fragmentary*sectional Ielevation ot the safety gate employed in cionnect1on with 'a double track systemand' further illus L'ri-ating in .Y dotted jlines one of 4the gate members arrangedinsa'tety position 'and in full lines in vnormal position.:

Figure 4L is a section Online t-#4,Fig-

5- .y .1' Y Y Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, fFigureQ.' 'i' F igure-G ure 5.

Figure 7 is a section on line 2T-V7, Fig- 6'i Y 1 Y. .y Figure 8 is al detail illust-rating the gate hanger and track therefor.'

is aV section on line 6-6, AFigl"Figure 9 is group perspective illustrating` the operating meansv shifta'lo'le ca'nrbars. Figure 10 is ati'agine'ntary,viewishowing a hanger element.'v Y

j Figure 11 is a section on line 11.-411,'Fig Y .onejof the operating levers.

:Figures r13 and Mare perspective vievvs of the shittalole 4camfoar's 'employed in' a single track system.

v'Figures 15 and 16 are't'ragmentary views in 'side elevatioi'i, 'o'tjthe' shit-tablecambars employed in connection With a'doulole' track systemj t i' j Figure 17 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modilied form of shittalo'le cam "bar,

Referring to Figure 1'vo`lt'the drawings, 1 and Q denote a pair ot railway tracks ot' a double' track railway system, and 'designates 'the highway intersecting the tracks 1 andQ.

'Referring to Figure 2, 1 denotesa railway track ot a single' track system and '5 a highway which intersects the track l1. 1n connection v.with a safety vgate in ac-v Figure 12 is atragmen'tary view shovving CTI cordance with this invention, it includes a pair of gate members when the safety gate is employed in connection with a double track system or a` single track system, and when employed with a double track system one gate member is arranged at one side of and exteriorly of the track 1, and the other gate member is arranged at one side of and exteriorly of the track 2, and by this arrangement the gate members will close the "highway 3 leading to or from the track 1,

and further will close the highway 3 leading to and from the track 2. Vi'hen employed in connection with a single track system, the gate members are arranged at opposite sides of the track 4 to close the highway 5 leading to and from said track 4. The pair of gate members are synchronously operated and normally are in open position and are shifted from such position to close the highway.

n The difference between the employment of the safety gate with respect to a double track and a single track system resides mainly in the actuating means operated by the-train for operating the gate members shifting mechanisms, and the housings for inclosing the actuating means operated by the train. l

The construction and arrangement. of the housings referred to are those that are employed in Vconnection with a double track system, but with respect to a single track system the same construction of housings is employed except with a slight change in each end of each of the housings and which change will be hereinafter referred to.

Arranged exteriorly'of the track 1, as well as exteriorly of the track 2 and extending in the same direction as said tracks, is a closed housing, and which are indicated at 6, 7, projecting from the housings 6, 7, at one end thereof is a casing formed of a horizontal portion 8 and a pair of longitudinal portions 9, 10, and with the former extending from the housing 6 and the latter from the housing 7. Projecting from the housings 6, 7, at the outer end thereof is a casing formed of a horizontal portion 11 and a pair of longitudinal portions 12, 13, and with the former extending from the housing 6 and the latter from the housing 7. lThe portionsy 8 and 11 extend transversely with respect to the tracks 1 and 2 and below the same. The casings can be set up of suitable piping of the desired diameter.

The shapes of thev housings and casings are shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and the side and end walls and top and bottomof each of the housings can be connected together in any suitable manner. The Vhousings and casings are positioned below the top of the track bed.

The top 14, at a point between its center and each inner end wall, each housing, is

masses provided with an opening and said openings are indicated at 16, 17 (Fig. u

lar slots 18, 19, and the top of the horizon- F tal portion of the other casing is formed `with a pair of rectangular slots 20, 21. The

slots 18 and 20 are arranged in lengthwise alignment and the slots 19 and 21 are also arranged in lengthwise alignment. The slots of each pair are positioned centrally of a track. Extending up through each of said slots is an actuating lever to be presently referred to, and the levers which extend up through the slots v18 and 21 are adapted to be actuated by an on-coming train as it approaches the crossing at the highway, and said levers are positioned a sufficient distance from the crossing so that when they are actuated they will operate the gate member shifting mechanisms whereby the gate members, to be hereinafter` referred to, will be shifted to close the highway to traffic before the train reaches the crossing.

rlihe actuating levers which extend up through the slots 19 and 2O are operated as the train leaves the crossing for the purpose of actuating the gate member shift-ing mechi anisms to restore the gate members to normal position to open the highway 3 for traffic.

The ends of the housing 6, as well as the housing 7, are indicated at 22, and which abut against thetop 14 and bottom 15 of their respective housing. The ends 22 in connection with the top 14 and bottom 15 of each housing provide a chamber 23, and said ends 22 close the longitudinal portions 9, 10, 12 and 13 of the casings and further in connection with said portions provide chambers 24 and 25 at the opposite ends of a housing. The slots 18 and 19 communicate with the chamber formed by the longitudinal portion 8, and the slots 20 and 21 communicate with the chamber formed by the longitudinal portion 11. The chambers 24 open into the portion 8 and the chambers 25 open intor the portion 11.

As to the casings employed with respect to a single track system, the longitudinal portions of one casing are indicated at 8', 9', and the horizontal portion at 10'. The longitudinal portions of the other casingjare indicated at 11', 12' and the horizontal portion at 13'. The horizontal portion 10', at its top, is provided with a slot 18' and the horizontal portion 13', at its top, is provided with a slot 19'. The slots 18', 19' are arranged in alignment.

The following described construction and arrangement of elements apply to the safety gate construction whether employed for a double track or a single track system.

Positioned on the top 14 of the housing 6, as well as the top 14 of the housing 7, is a pair of spaced fiat circular combined guide and coupling members 9 consisting of a body portion 26- (Fig. 6) of substantial height provided at its bottom with a laterally eX- tending annular flange 27,4and said body portion 26, centrally thereof, is formed with an opening 28 extending Jfrom the lower face o1 said-body portion and opening into a vertically disposed pocket 29, arranged in the upper part ot the body portion 26. The pocket 29 is ot greater diameter than the opening 28. The Vbody vportion 26, between the pocket 29 and its outer periphery is formed witha circular vsocket 30` ol greater depth than thedepthoic the pocket 29. The socket 3() opens at the top of the body. portion 26. Interposed between the yflange 27 and the top 14, is a packing element 31, and the latter in connection with the body portion 26 is tixedly secured to the top 14 by hold-fast devices 32. Arranged within the pocket 29 is a packing 33, secured in position by a. Vgland 33 and positioned within the socket 30 is a packing 34.

The opening 28 in one of the combined guide and coupling members registers with the opening 16, and the opening 28 of the other combined guide and coupling member registers with the opening 17.

Extending into the socket 30 of one of the combinedV guide and coupling members, is

a vertically extending tube ot substantialV diameter and' height and which is indicated at and extending intopthe other combined guide and coupling` member is a vertically disposed tube ot substantial diameter and height. The tubes 35 Vand 35 are ot the saine height and bear on the packings 34 within the sockets 30.

Each ot' the tubes 35, 35 is fixed-ly secured to a combined guide and coupling device, by clamping screws37,carried by the body portion 26 and binding against the tube vas clearly shown in Figure 6.

Mounted upon the upper end of each tube 35, 35', as well as extending therein, is a packing element 39 provided with a socket 40, into which extends a tube. Carried by the elements 39 are clamping screws 41 which bind against the tubesl for xedly securing the elements 39 and tubes together.

Secured to the outer side, at the upper-end of each ot` the tubes and below the elements 39, is a bandv42 to which is connected a pair of inclined stay rods 43, having their lower ends anchored, as at 45. The rods 43 maintain the tubes in vertical position.

rhe tube 35, as wellas the tube 35', provides a plunger chamber 44, and operating therethrough is 'a substantially elongated plunger 46, which extends into'a chamber 23 and has its lower end provided with a toot piece 47. The plunger 16-eXtends up through the top14, combined guide and coupling device and up'and through and above the packing element 39, and -isI provided with a reduced `upper terminal 48. "lhe lower portion ofthe plunger 46, in Yproximity-)to lthe 'foot pieceA 47, is slotted, as at49.

To make the operation of the plungers, yto

be hereinafter set forth, readily understood, it 1s' thought advisable' to designate the plungers when employed in connection with the double track system by the reference characters 52, 53, 54 and 55, seefFigi H synchronously operated for the purpose ot shifting the pair ot gate. members to closed position, and the plungers 53 and 55 014165 and 166 are synchronously operated tor` the purpose of shitting the gate members to open position. y

The plungers 52, 54, 53 and 55 are operated when the trains are travelling in the direction ot' the arrows A and B, Figure 1, but the plungers 52 and 54 are operated in advance of the plungers 53 and 55. AThe plungers 163, 164, 165 and 166 are operated when the train is travellingvin Ithe directio-n of the arrows v179 and 181, seeFigure 2, but the plungers 163 and 164 are operated in advance ot' the plungers 165 and 166.

The following described 'construction-and arrangement of elements apply to the satety gate when employed in connection with a double or a single track system. For each system a pair otl gate members is employed and associated with' each gatemember is a tiltable Vtrack forthe purpose ot shifting the gate member to closed' and open position. Each otthe gate. members, best shown in Figure 5, consists ofa rectangular body portion 7 2,13rovided at its top with' a hanger 73, which is pivotally connected, as at 73 to a trolley 74, travelling on a track member. `By reference to Figure 5, a gate member and track member are shownfin full lines in'normal position and in dotted lines when the'track member has been tilted to providefor the shifting of t'he'gat'e member to closevthe crossing. The 'gate member is shown in closed position in tull lines. "Each of the track members is cle-arly shown in Figure Sand consists oit a substantially elongated tlat bar 75 on which fthe trolley 74 is mounted. The bar7-5, at each terminal por# tion, is enlarged,vas at 76, and providedwith a substantially elongated slot 77 (Fig. 8)

`-through which extends the reduced upper end'of aplunger. y l

To provide for a clear understanding of the operation of the gate when used in vconnection with a double track system or la single track system, in Figure 1 of 'the drawings the track members are'indicated Aat 68 and -69andsaid track memberl 68 is mounted upon theplungers 54, 55 and track member-69 Imountedcn the plungers 52 and 53, and with reference to Figure 2, the track members are indicated at 155 and 156 and with the former mounted on the plungers 163 and 165 and the latter on the plungers v164 and 166.

The following described construction and arrangement of the elements of safety gate apply to the latte-r when employed .in con .nection with a double track system or a single track system. The tubular members 35, arranged on a housing 6 or 7, see Figures 5 and 6, are connected together by an upstanding bracket -7 9 which extends above the track members and carries a cover member 80 for inclosing the track member to pro- Y 'member 80 is greater than the space between the tubes 35, 35, so as to project bcyond the same in a direction lengthwise with respect to the track bed.

The bottom of each oi the chambers 23 has securedvthereon a series oit spaced pairs of bearing brackets 82, and jcurnalled in each pair of brackets is aV transverselyextending friction roller 83. See Figures 5 and 6.

Secured to the inner taces of the side walls of the housing 6v or housing 7, and in proximity to the brackets 82, is a longitudinally extending support oit' a length less than the length of the housing. The supports are indicated at 84, 85. SeeFigure 6. The inner side edge of each of said supports has projecting therefrom a series of v'friction rollers 86. Y

lMounted upon the bottom of each housing 6 or 7, centrally thereof, is a series ot' vertically disposed brackets 87, each provided with a vertical bearing 88.

Arranged within the chamber 23 formed by each housing 6 or 7, is a pair of spring controlled plunger shifting elements and the elements arranged in the housing 6 are of the same construction as those arranged in the housing 7. The plunger shifting elements are positioned on the transversely extending 'friction rollers 83, and arranged between the friction rollers 83 carried by the supports 84, and each pair of shifting l elements is spaced by the bearings 88. See

Figure 6. The plunger shifting elements are movable lengthwisewith respect to the housing for the purpose of elevating and lowering the plungers to provide for the tilting of the track members as well as for the purpose of restoring the track members to normal position.

One of the plunger shifting elements in each housing is indicated at 92 and the other at 93. The plunger shifting elements 92 plunger shifting elements employed in convnection with a double track system. The

plunger shifting element 92, Whether ein ployed in a single or a double track system, includes a bar 123 oit substantial length, provided at a point removed 'from each end with a cam member and which are indicated at 124, 125, andare oppositely disposed with respect to each other. The outer end oi the member 124 is bevelled, as at 126, and the outer end ot the member 125 is bevelled, as at 127. The bevelled ends 126, 127 are oppositely disposed with respect to each other. One end of the bar 123 is provided with a laterally extending eye 128.

The plunger shifting element 93, whether employed in connection with a single or a double track system, includes a substantially elongated bar 135, provided at one end with a cam member 136, and in proximity to its other end `with a cam member 139. The inner end of the cam member 136l is bevelled, as at 137, and the inner end of the cam member 139 is bevelled as at 140. The bev* elled ends 137, 140r are oppositely disposed with respect lto each other. Thecam member 136 carries an `eye 138, and the. cam member 139 isprovided with an eye 143.

VJhen the plunger shifting elements 92 and 93V are employed in connection with a single track system, that end of the bar 123 opposite the end provided with the eye 128 is provided with a substantially elongated rod 1.29, provided with an eye and said rod 129 has its outerl end connected, as at 132, to a connecting rod 168.' The plunger shifting velement 93 has that end of the bar 135, opposite the end provided with the cam member 136, provided with a substantially elongated rod 141 of substantial length which is coupled, as at 142 to the connecting rod 169.

When the safety gate is set up with respect to a single track, the rod 1410i the plunger shifting element 93, at one side oi' the track is connected by the rod 169 to the rod v141 of the plunger shifting element 93 at the other side `of the track, and said ,rod 169 is provided with an actuating lever Figures andv16, the bar 123 at each endis provided with a substantially elongated rod and which are indicated at 94, 95. Pivotally connectedgto the rod 94 is a link 96, and pivotally connected to the rod 95 is a link 97. The har 135 has projecting froin each end a rod of substantial length and which rods are indicated 94, 95. The

Vrod 94 is pivotally connected to a link 96 and the rod 95 is pivotallv connectedto a link 9,7.

The rods 94, 94 extend through one end wall of a housing 6 or 7 and through a hearing element 92 which is secured to the outer face of the said end wall 22. The rods 95, 95 extend through the other end wall 22 of the housing 6 or 7 and also through a hearing element 93 which Ais secured to the outer face of said end wall 22.

The actuating ineans fory the plunger shifting elements when these latter are eniployed in connection with a double track sjvsteni, is best shown in Figure` 9, and said actuating ineans includes a hollow shaft forn'ied of two sections 199. 191 and afshaft 192 extending through and projecting froin the hollow shaft. Said hollow shaft is referred to generallyhv the reference character 193. Said ineans further includesv a hollow shaft formed of two sections 1941 195, and said shaft is generally referred to hv the reference character196. f Said ine-ans further includes a shaft. 197` which extends through the shaft196, `and is offgreater lengththereof. The sections 199, 191of the shaft 193 are connected together hv a slotted sleeve 1978. The sections 194, 195 of the shaft 196 areconnected together hv a slotted `sleeve 199'. Fixed to theshaft 192 and extending up through the slot 2 99 in the sleeve 196, is an actuating lever 291; Fixed to the shaft 193 'isl an ractuating lever 292. 'The lever 291 extends up through. thev slot 16, and the lever 292 extendsup` through theslot 19. 1 xcd to the vshaft 197 and extending up through the slot 293 in the sleeve 199,^i s an actuating lever 294, and fixed to the shaft 196' is an actuating lever 295. The lever 294 extends` up through the slot 29 and the lever 295 up through the slot 21.

Fixed to one end of the shaft 193, is a crank arin 296 having the link 96 pivotally connected therewith. Fixed to the other end of the shaft `193 is' a crank a-rin 297 having the other link-96 vconnected therewith.

`The crank arnis 296, v297'lproject upwardly frein the shaft Fixed to the shaftw192 in proxiinitj,7 to each endthereof, as well :as

depending therefrom, is afcrank arinand which arins are indicated at 208, 299.' Pivotally connected to the 'crankarlnf298isone of the links 96 and pivotally connected-to the arni 299 is the otherlink 96.'` p

Fixedly secured to and depending lfrom each end of the shaft 196 is a crank. arin and said arins areindicated at 2:19, 211,.andf-to the crank arni 219is pivotallyiconnected'the link 97 and to the crank ar1n211is pivotally connected the otherlink 97 tixedlv7 secured to the shaft 197i, in proxiinit'v to each end thereof', is an upstanding crank arin, and which are-indicated at 212,

and to the. foriner ispivotally connected* one of the links 97 and to thelatter is pivotally connected the other link 97.

The two plunger shifting-elements192 are connected together and syncl'ironously.operiA ated from the shaft 192 and from the shaft 197, and the plunger shifting elements-'93 are connected together and synchronously operated from the shafts 193 and-196.

hc links96, 96 and shafts 192 and 193,l are arranged withinthe 'casing consisting-'of the portions 9, 19 and 11 andfintothe 'portions 9 and 19 extend the rods' 94, 94 The rods and 95 extend into the portions v12 and 13 of the other casing, and the `links- 97, 97 are also arranged in saidportions 12 and' 13. The shafts 196, 197 are arranged within the portion 11 so that the casing includes the portions 12 and 13.A 1

lilith respect-to a. singletrack arrange-y ment, the rods 129 and'connectingrod or shaft 166 are arranged in the portions 3,

9 and 19 of one of the casings, and the rods 141 and connecting` rod or shaft -169 are arranged in the portions 11"; 412 and13 of the other casing.

TVith respect to a single track 'arrange-v inent, the rods 129 extend through the bearings 131I carried hy the end walls 22 lof the housings. The levers 179, 171 are connected with the rods 168, 169, respectively7 and said" lever 179 is connected with the shaft 192', and

vthe lever 171 is connected to the shaft 195.

lllithin 'the portions 19V and 13" of the cas ings, are hangers 196,'andeach of which; in cludes a. pivoted` link 197' provided at its lowver end with a slot 198 through whichextends a connecting rod. 'Arrangedyhe-low the-slot 16', as well as helow the s101519', is a vhanger 113 provided with a pivot'114forfa lever179 or 171 and each of said leve-rs hasjanenlarged lower end 115'provided'with an oval shaped slot 116, through which extends a connecting rod'163 or 169;",l A

The lever, 179, 171, 291,292, 294 and 295 eXtend a substantial distance above their slots so that Vthey can be impacted by the pilot of the locomotive, By reference Figure 5, the position of the pilot 117 is illustra-ted in full lines in advance of its eiigagemeiit with an actuating lever, and in dotted lines when shifting the actuating lever, the latter being shown in dotte d. line s in shifted position. The locomotive is indicated at 118 in Figure 5. y

Connected to the eye 128 is one end of a coiled spring 133, which is secured to an end wall 22. The eye 130 has attached thereto one end of a coiled spring 134, which is se-4 cured to the said end wall 22 Connected to the eye 133 is one end of a coiled spring 144, which is secured to the other end 'wall 22, and connected to the eye 143 is one end of a coiled spring 145 secured to the said end wall 22. The springs are employed to assist in returning` the plunger shifting elements to normal position..

As before stated, the plunger shifting elcments travel against the friction rollers, and

also between s aced guides 147 which are secured to the ower faceot the top of the housing, and connected to said spaced guides is a stop member 147 tor each plunger 4G, and said stop member 147 extends through the slot 49, and by this arrangement the up-V ward movement of a plunger 46 is arrested.

An electric alarm 148 of known construction is employed to sound a warning on the shifting of the gate members to closing position.

The plungers 46, operated in a. body of oil, are indicated at 148 and each of the plungers is provided with a retardiiig member 149 to cushion the lowering movement thereof. The plunger shifting elements inV each chamber 23 also operate in a body of oil, as indicated at 150. Bearing 150 are employed for the shafts 193 and 196.

Resilient latches 151 and 152 are provided for detachably securing the gate members in normal position, and resilient latches 153, 154 are provided for detachably securing the gate members when shifted in position to close the crossing to traffic. e

In connection with the. operation of the safety gatevwhen set up in connection with a double track system, if a train is travelling in the direction of the arrow A on track 2), the lever 201 will be actuated whereby the links 96 and 96 will be shifted in the direction of the arrows C, D in Figure 1, carrying the plunger shiftingelements 92 in the same direction, whereby the bevelled ends 126 engaging the foot pieces of the plungers 52 and`54 will elevate said plungers tilting Y the tracks 68 and 69 to the position shown shifted in the direction of the arrows El, F,

under such conditions theplunger shifting elements 92 will be carried in the direction of the arrows E, F, whereby the beyelled ends 127 of the ca m members 125 will shift the plungers 53and 55 upwardly tilting the track members 68-aiid 69 in the direction opposite to that to which they were tilted by the 'plungers 52 and 54, and `under, such conditions the gate members will 'return to normal position., Before the plunger shifting relements 92 are actuated by the operation of the lever 204, s aid elements have been restored vto normal position by the' action ot the springs 133 and by the weight of the plungers 52 and 54 which move to normal position by gravity.,

1f a trainis travelling on track 1, inthe direction of arrow B,. the lever 205 is actuated and the links 97 are shifted in the direction of the' arrows G, 11, which carry the plunger shifting elements 93 in the same direction, and when these latter are shifted by the links 97', vthe bevelled ends 137 of the cam members 136 elevate the plungers 52 and 54 for the purpose of tilting the track members 63`and 69 whereby the gate 1n connection with the operation ofthe safety gate when used with a singletrack system, if a train is travelling in the direction of the arrow 179, it will engage and actuate the lever 170 whereby the plui'ig'er shifting elements 92 will be moved the' direction of the arrow L, so that the bevelletl ends 126 of the cams 124 will elevate the plungers 163, 164 so that the gate members will move to closing positionvwitli respect to the crossing. As a train continues to travel in the direction ofthe arrow 179, it will engageand actuate the lever 171, whereby the plunger shifting elements 93 will be moved in the direction of the arrow 130 and the bevelled ends of the cam members 130 will engage the plungers 165 and 166 toy elevate them Yfor the purpose of tilting the track members 155 and 156 in the opposite direction to provide for the gates moving to open position. If the train is travellingin the direction of the arrow 181 on the track 4, it will engage and actuate the lever 171 to move the plunger shifting elements 93 in the directionof the arronv` 182, Vwhereby the bevelled ends 137 ofV the cams 13G will elevate the phmgers 1G3- arid iti-ttor the purpose ot tilting` the track members' and 1 so that the gate members vvillmove to closing position ivitlrrespect to the crossing. As the train continues to travel in the direction the arroiv 131, it ivill engage and'actirate thel lever 170 nf'hereby the plunger shi"ting elements 92 vfilllbe moved in the Lindev i ol? the arroiv 183 so that the bevclled ends l l' ofthe'. cams 125 Willengage and elevato the phingers 165 and ltitiytilting the track members and 156 inthe opposite direction whereby thegate members will llemoved to open position.

in the modified form shown in Figure 17, and which is indicated.generally bythe reterence character 5the construction is the same as that referred to With this exception, that the plunger shifting elements are not provided -with the springs 13S and 1312i, ll`

and lll-6. Y

From the foregoing construction and arrangement of parts, a safety gate is set np which is operated in advance ot a vtrain passing a crossing, so that when operated7 the gate members ivill be positioned to extend transversely of the crossing and close the highway to tralii'ce before the train passes the crossing,- andffnrthermo-re as. the train leaves the crossing meansis provided Whereby the gate members ivill'be shifted to normal pos bv settn'ig up they safety gate'in this manner it is obvious `that..accidents at railway cross- ,fs ivill be reduced to aminimnm, land al- -h the preferred embodiment of the inis as illustrated'anddescribecb yet the invention as claimed.

TiThat-l claimis l. A safety gate for railvvay crossings comprising track members `tiltable in opposite directions and positioned'ori-opposite sides ot the track bed, gate mem-bers carrier by the track members for closing a highway to traliic from each side of the track bed, n'icans operated by a train as it approaches the crossing for tilting said track memin one direction to provide tor the gravnzoving oft' the. gate members to aposition to close the-highway to traffic from cach side et the track bed, and means operated by the. train asY it passes the crossing tor tilting said ytrack members in the'opposite direction to provide for the'gravity moving ots-.aid members in agdfircction to open the hiohivay from each side of the track bed.

Si safety gate 'for railivay crossings comprising track members tiltable in opi-- pcsite directions and positioned on opposite sides .of vthe trackbedygatemembers carried 1.tion so as to vopen the highway, and

by thetiack members Vfor closing a highway to tratlic from l cach side of. the :track bed, means operated by a train asit approaches the crossing tor tilting said track members in one direction to Ajn'ovide Jroi' the gray-ity moving oi" the gate members to-a position to close the liighvvay'to tratiic iromeach side of the track bed, means operated by. the'train as it passes the crossing for tilt-ing said track members in the opposite direction to provide'- T""or the gravity moving .of said: gate' memn bers in aldii'ectio-nfto open the liighivay from each side ot the track bed, .and n'ieans l'for ldctachably securing said gate n'iembersin position -to-close the highway to tra-r'iic from'.- ea'ch side oil-the track bed. Y

3. A safety` gate for railway crossings comprisingt ack-members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned on opposite sides'of the track bed, gatelmemberscarried by the track members tor closing-a-highivay to traiiic 'from eaclrside -o-' the track bed, ineansloperated by atrainias it approaches the crossing` for tilting saidvtrack.members in one rdirection to providefor the gravityA moving of the gate membersto ya position to close'the h' jhivay. tortrai'Tic. froml each side otthe trac-k bed7` means operatedbythe train las it.|iasscs the crossing for tilting said track members in the oppositedirection to provide for the gravity. moving' ot said mein bers in normal lp osition.

4.- irr safety ltor railway 'crossings comprising track memberstiltable 4in oppositedirections and positioned on opposite sides olf the track bed, gate members carried by the track members for closing av highway to traiiic from Aeach side of ythe track bed, vertically movable plnngers snpporting and tilting said vtrack members, means operated byva Vtrain as it'appreaches the crossing yfor vertically moving certain of said plnngers thereby tilting said track members in one direction to provide 'tor'the gravity moving ol the gate members to a'fposition to close th(` highway tovtratiie from each side (it-the 'track:bed, .andaneans operated 'by the train as it passes'the crossing for vertically moving the otl'ier of said plnngers to tilt said track men'ibers in. the opposite direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gatel members to open the highway to tratlie.

5. A' Safety gate for railivay crossings comprising` trackv members ti'ltable in opposite directions and positioned.oncpposite sides ot the track bed, gate members carried by the track members for closing a highway to traffic from each side @tithe track bed,

vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said track members, means operated by a train as it approaches the crossing for vertically moving certain of said plungers thereby tilting said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving ofthe gate members to a position to close the highway to traffic from each side of the track bed, means operated by the train as it passes the crossing for vertically moving the other of said plungers to tilt said track vertically movable plungers supporting and f tilting said track members, means operated by a train as itapproaches the crossing for vertically moving certain of said plungers thereby tilting said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to a position to close the highway to trafiic from each side of the track bed, means operated by the train as it passes the crossing for vertically moving the other of said plungers to tilt said track members in the opposite direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to open the highway to traffic,

means for detachably securing said gate.

members in position to close the highway, and means for detachably securing the gate members in normal position.

7. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising track members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned at opposite sides of a track bed, gate members movable on said track members for closing a highway to traffic from each side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said track members, a plurality of plunger shifting elements operated by a train 'as it approaches the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving certain of said plungers to shift said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to a position to close the highway to traffic from each side of the track bed, and a plu'- rality of plunger shifting elements operated by the train as it passes the crossing` and provided with cam. members for vertically moving the other of said plungers for tilt- Y ing the track members in an opposite direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to open the highway to traiiic.

8. A safety gate for railway crossingsk comprising track members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned at opposite sides of a track bed, gate members movable on said track members for closing a highway to traffic fromeach side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said track members, a plurality of plunger shifting elements operated by a train as it approaches the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving certain of said plungers to shift said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to a position to close the highway to traffic from cach side of the track bed, a plurality.

of plunger shifting elements operated by thel way Vto traffic from each side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said track members, a plurality of plunger shifting elements operated by a train as it approaches the crossing and provided with cain members for vertically moving certain of said plungers yto shift said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to a position to close the highway to traffic from each side of the track bed, a plurality of plunger shifting elements operated by the train as it passes the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving the otherof said plungers for tilting the track members in an opposite direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to open the highway to trafic, means for detachably securingsaid gate members in position to close the highway to traffic, and means for detachably securing the gate members in normal position.

10. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising track members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned on opposite sides of the track bed, gate members carried by the track members for closing a highway to trafiic from each side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said track members, means operated by a train as it approaches the crossing for vertically moving certain of said plungers thereby tilt-ing said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members tov a position to close the highway to trall'ic from each side of the track bed, means operated by the train as it passes the crossing for vertically moving the other of said plungers to tilt said track members in the opposite direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate 'men'ibers to open the highway to trallic,

means for detachably securing said gate members in position to close the highway, means for detachably securing the gate members in normal position, and anti-friction rollers lor supporting said plunger shifting elements.

ll. l safety gate Ltor railway crossings comprising track members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned at opposite sides of a track bed, gate members movable on said track members for closing a highway to traiiic from each side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said track members, a plurality ot plunger shitting elements operated by a train as it approaches the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving certain of said plungers to shift said track members in one direction to provide igor the gravity moving oit' the gate members to a position to close the highway to trafiic from each side of the track bed, a plurality ot plunger shitting elements operated by the train as it passes the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving the other oli' said plungers for tilting. the track members in an opposite direction to .provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to open the highway to tra'fiic, and'anti-triction rollers for supporting saidy plunger shitting elements. A

l2. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising track memberstiltable in opposite directions and positioned at opposite sides oit a track bed, gate members movable on said track members for closing a highway to trailic from each side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said track members, a plurality of plunger shitting elements operated by a train as it approaches the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving certain of said plungers to shit't said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to a position to close the highway to traffic from each sido of the track bed, a` plurality of plunger shitting elements operated by the train as it passes the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving the other oit said plungers for tilting the track members in an opposite direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to open the highway to trailic, means for detachably securing said gate members in position to close the highway to traffic, and anti-friction rollers for supporting said Vplunger shifting elements.

13. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising track members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned on opposite sides of the track bed, gate members carried by the track members for closing a highway to traiiic from each side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said track members, means operated by a train as it approaches the crossing for vertically moving certain of said plungers thereby tilting said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving ot the gate members to a positionto close the highway to tratlic from each side or" the track bed, means operated by the train as it passes the crossing for vertically moving the other of said plungers to tilt said track members in the opposite direction to provide for the gravity moving .of the gate members to open the highway to traiic, means for detachably securing said gate members in position to close the highway, means for detachably securing the gate members in normal position, anti-friction rollers for supporting said plunger shifting elements, and antifriction rollers engaging one side of each of said plunger shitting elements.

14. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising track members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned at opposite sides of a track bed, gate members movable on said track members for closing al highway to trathrc from each side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting said' track members, av plurality of plunger shitting elements operated by a train as it approaches the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving certain of said plungers to shift said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to a position to close thehighway to traiiic from each side of the track bed, a plurality ot plunger shifting elements operated by the train as it passes the crossing and pro# videdl with cam members for vertically moving the other of said plungers for tilting the track members in an opposite direction to provide 'for the gravity moving of the gate members to open the highway to traffic, antifriction rollers tor supporting said plunger shitting elements, and anti-friction rollers engaging one side of each of said plunger shifting elements;

l5. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising track members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned at opposite sides of a track bed, gate members movable on said track membersl for closing a highway to tratlic from each side of the track bed, vertically movable plungers supporting and tilting. said track members, a plurality ofV plunger shifting elements operated by a train as it approaches the crossing `and provided with cam members for vertically moviro ing certain of said plungers to shi'lt said -track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving oit' the gate members to a position to close the highway to traflic Jfrom each side of the track bed, a plurality of plunger shitting elements operated by the train as it passes the crossing and provided with cam members for vertically moving the other of said plungers or tilting the track members in an opposite direction to provide for the gravity moving oi the gate members to open the highway to traflic, means for detachably securing said gate members in position to close the highway' to trafiic, antifriction rollers for supporting said plunger Vshitting elements, and anti-friction rollers engaging one side of each of said plunger shitting elements.

16. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising track members tiltable in opposite directions and positioned on opposite sides of the track bed7 gate members carried by the track members for closing a highway to traiiic from each side of the track bed, means operated by a train asit approaches the crossing for tilting said track members in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to a position to close the highway to traiiic from each side oit the track bed, means operated by the train as it passes the crossing for tilting said track members in opposite directions to provide for the gravity moving of said gate members in a direction to open the highway from cach side of the track bed, and a protective means inc-losing said track members.

i7. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising track members tiltable in opposite dircctionsand positioned on oppositey sides of the track bed, gate members carried yb the track members forclosinn' a highwa n C rf) n to traifiic from each side of the track bedr,

rmeans operated by a train as it approaches the crossing for tilting said track members in one direction to provide :for the gravity moving the gate members to a position to close the highway to tra'llic from each side of the track bed, means operated by the train as it passes the crossing lor tilting said track members in opposite directions to provide for the gravity moving of said gate members in a direction to open the highway from each side of the track bed, means for detachably securing said gate members in position to close the highway to traffic from each side ol' the track bed, and a protective means inclosing said track members.

in one direction to provide for the gravity moving of the gate members to a position to close the highway to traiiic from each side of the track bed, means operated by the train as it passes 'the crossing or tilting said track members in opposite directions to provide for the gravity moving ot'said gate members in a direction to open the highway from each side of the track bed, means for detachably securing said gate members in position to close the highway to trailic from each side of the track bed, means for detachably securing the gate members in normal position, and a protective means inclosing said track members.

19. fr safety gate for railway crossings comprising opposed vertically movable plungers arranged at one side oit the track bed, opposed vertically movable plungers arranged at the other side of the track bed, shiftable gate members for closing a highyway to traffic 'from each side oi the track bed, means operated by saidrplungers to provide for the shifting of said gate members to a position to close the highway and from such position, and plunger shitting elements operating in opposite directions and operated by a train as it approaches and passes the crossing for vertically moving' said plungers to provide for the operation of said gate shifting means, each of said plungers provided with cam members riding against the lower ends of said plnngers for vertically moving them.

20. A safety gate lor railway crossings comprising opposed vertically movable plungers arranged at one 'side of the track bed7 opposed vertically movable plungers arranged atth'e other side of the track bed, shiiftable gate members ifor closing a highway to tra'llic from each side of the track bed, means operated by said plnngers to provide for the shifting of said gate members to a position to close the highway and 'from such position, plunger shittingelements operating in opposite directions and operated by a train as it approaches and passes the crossing for vertically moving said plungers to provide 'for the operation ot said gate shifting means, and means for,

detachably securing the gate members in position to close the highway to traiiic.

21. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising opposed vertically movable plungers arranged at one side of the. track bed, opposed vertically movable plungers arranged at the other side ofV the track bed, shi'litable gate members for closing a highway to traflic 'from cach. side of the track bed, means operated by said plungers to provide for the shifting of said gate members to a position to close the highway and from such position, plunger `shifting elements operating in opposite directions and operated by a train as it approaches and passes the crossing for vertically moving said plungcrs to provide for the operation orl said gate shitting means, each oi' said plungers provided with cam members riding against the lower ends of said plungers tor vertically moving them, and means for detachably securing the gate members in position to close the highway to trailic.

22. A safety gate :tor railway crossings comprising opposed vertically movable plungers arranged at one side of the track bed, opposed vertically movable plungers arranged at the other side oi the track bed, shiiatble gate members i'or closing a. highway to traliic from each side of the track bed, means operated b-y said plungers to provide ior the shitting of said gate members to a position to close the highway and from such position, plunger shitting elements operating in opposite directions and operated by a train as it approaches and passes the crossing for vertically moving said plungers to provide for the operation oi said gate shifting means, means for detachably securing the gate members in position to close the highway to trai'lic, and means for detachably securing said gate members in normal position.

23. A safety gate for railway crossings comprising opposed vertically movable plnngers arranged at one side of 'the track bed, opposed vertically movable plungers arranged at the other side of the track bed, shiiitable gate members for closing a highway to tratlic from each side of the track bed, means operated by said plungers to provide for the shitting of said gate members to a position to close the highway and from suoli position, plunger shitting elements operating in opposite directions and operated by a train as it approaches and passes the crossing for vertically moving said plungers to provide for the operation or said gate shitting means, each of said plungers provided with cam members riding against the lower ends ot said plungers 'tor vertically moving them, means for detachably securing the gate members in position to close the highway to tratlic, and means for detachably Asecuring said gate members in normal position.

2li. In a safety gate tor railway crossings a pair ot synchronously operated shiftable elements, each positioned at one side of a track bed and each providing means for operating a gate member actuating mechanism to move a gate member to closure position, a pair of synchronously operated shiftable elements, each positioned at one side of a track bed and each provides means tor operating the gate member actuating mechanis-m to move the gate member to open position, each of the elements of the first pair formed intermediate its ends with a pair oi" oppositely disposed cam members, and each of theI elements of the second pair provided at each end with a cam member and with the cam members oppositely disposed with respect to each other.

25. In a safety gate, opposed vertically movable spaced plnngers arranged at one side of a track bed, opposed vertically movable spaced plungers arranged at the other side of the track bed, track members mounted on said plungers and tilted in opposite directions thereby, gate members suspended from said track members and gravity movable to closure position when the track members are tilted in one direction and to open position when the track members are tilted in the opposite directions, said plungers movable downwardly by gravity, means for moving certain of the plungers upwardly to tilt the track members in one direction, means for moving the other of the plungers upwardly to tilt the track members in the opposite direction, and means for cushioning the downward movement of the plungers.

26. A railway crossing gate of the class described comprising a support, a tiltable carrier mounted on the support, a gate slidably mounted on the carrier, carrier actuating means in the track-way adjacent the crossing and operatively connected with the carrier to actuate the same, and train operated means in the track-way remote from the crossing for controlling said carrieractuated means.

27. A railway crossing gate of the class described comprising a tilting gate carrier, and two sets of trip devices located respectively close to and remote from the crossing and having means for alternately actuating said carrier to shift the gate into operative and inoperative position.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

EDIVARD JAMES HUNT. 

